Polar Bear
Smile Lyrics


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In the bright shop window sits the polar bear
Makes the children's eyes light up to see him there
Amongst the tinsel he gives everyone a smile
To see him and he'll be a star
Love him from where you are
He's not for, not for, not for sale
Past an open window walks the pretty girl
Does she see me at her feet its hard to tell
But if I ask her she might turn her smile away
To see him and he'll be a star
Love her from where you are
I guess I'll learn to look
Without addressing her




Minor contentment wears a smile
I love her from where I lie

Overall Meaning

The song "Polar Bear" by Smile paints two different pictures of the same scene. In the first verse, we see a polar bear in a bright shop window. This polar bear evokes joy and excitement in the children who see him. The bear is adorned in tinsel and appears to be giving everyone a smile. It's clear that this polar bear is beloved and admired by all who see him.


In the second verse, we see a pretty girl walking past an open window. The singer is unsure if she sees him, but if he were to approach her, he fears that she may turn her smile away. He resolves to learn to admire her from a distance and accept a minor form of contentment. The polar bear from the first verse serves as a symbol of something that is universally loved and adored, and the singer hopes that his affections for the girl can be as innocent and pure as the children's admiration for the polar bear.


This song captures the universal feeling of wanting to connect with someone you are attracted to but feeling hesitant to make a move. Through the use of the polar bear metaphor, the lyrics communicate a sense of innocence and charm that is relatable to listeners of all ages.


Line by Line Meaning

In the bright shop window sits the polar bear
A Polar Bear doll is being displayed in a shop's window


Makes the children's eyes light up to see him there
The sight of the Polar Bear makes the children happy and excited


Amongst the tinsel he gives everyone a smile
The Polar Bear toy seems to be smiling, which makes people around it happy


To see him and he'll be a star
People enjoy seeing the Polar Bear toy, and it becomes very popular


Love him from where you are
People can appreciate the Polar Bear toy even from afar


He's not for, not for, not for sale
The Polar Bear toy is not available for purchase


Past an open window walks the pretty girl
A beautiful girl walks by an open window


Does she see me at her feet its hard to tell
It is difficult to know if the girl notices the artist's presence


But if I ask her she might turn her smile away
The girl may become less friendly if the artist talks to her


Love her from where you are
The artist admires the girl from a distance


I guess I'll learn to look
The singer will try to observe the girl without approaching her


Without addressing her
The artist will not talk to the girl


Minor contentment wears a smile
The singer is satisfied with the situation, despite not being able to talk to the girl


I love her from where I lie
The singer has feelings for the girl, but can only admire her from a distance




Contributed by Leah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@PatriciaRascondeSoler

Here you are Dear:

In the bright shop window sits the polar bear
Makes the children's eyes light up to see him there
Amongst the tinsel he gives everyone a smile
To see him and he'll be a star
Love him from where you are
He's not for, not for, not for sale

Past an open window walks the pretty girl
Does she see me at her feet its hard to tell
But if I ask her she might turn her smile away
To see him and he'll be a star
Love her from where you are
He's not for, not for, not for sale

I guess I'll learn to look
Without addressing her
Minor contentment wears a smile
I love her from where I lie
He's not for, not for, not for sale
He's not for, not for sale.



All comments from YouTube:

@AndreaIsabellita

Great vocals by Mr Tim Staffell and dear Dr May <3
Such an amazing song!

@Sarajevo_1999

beautiful fanart

@virtualspets5788

Really Nice picture

@stevepila2731

Steffan Pila

Polar Bear is a sweet and gentle song. It has beautiful acoustic guitar lines and soft and lush harmony vocals from Brian May. This song reminds me of the Queen Song "The Night Comes Down" or parts of another song from Queen called "Liar."

@livingfilmmaker

Queen recorded a demo of it in '72. Would have happily given up the teaser to Seven Seas of Rhye to have a finished version of it on their debut.

@steffanpila9163

You're Right, Livingfilmmaker. Queen did record a demo of "Polar Bear" with Freddie Mercury on Lead Vocals. But I do believe this song is a precursor to the song "The Night Comes Down" from the "Queen" album in 1973. Thank you!!!

@MilesAway

Art is by FG-Twins on deviantart
https://www.deviantart.com/fg-twins/art/Polar-bear-394201116

@carlosbc2117

The Bass line are Cool!

@carloszarate5431

Muy buena canción.

@deborahp2823

Steffan Pila

Thank you Living Filmmaker. Queen did record a demo of this song with Freddie Mercury On Vocals back in 1972. But my question is this, who sings better on this version of "Polar Bear", Brian May or Freddie Mercury?

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